this is what it's all about

I had this blog post written in my head last night as I was trying to fall asleep, so hopefully it will come back to me now. Since I'm a responsible adult (ahem) I decided to stay in bed rather than get up and write this then. I should have known it wouldn't come as easily today, but here's my feeble attempt.

I was thinking about the little moments that hit me sometimes throughout the day. The ones that make me pause, even just for an instant, and smile. They're like little breaths of fresh air that get me through the hard moments (hours) of the day.

Like when I'm holding that first mug of coffee in the morning, inhaling its wonderful aroma.

Or when I hear Grace chattering to herself, "calling" Papa on her play phone (or the TV remote), and "reading" to herself from her favorite book of the week.

Or how the morning sun can turn a day from dismal to delightful, just by being there.

Or maybe how an unexpected text message from an old friend can make me laugh.

It's when I catch Grace smiling her cute little bashful smile when she just learned something new and is proud of herself, but more importantly, knows that I'm proud of her, too.

Or when Joe will leave me sweet little notes around the house for me to find, just because.

It's even the times I get to go to the grocery store or run little errands by myself.

Or the days -even when they're few and far between- when everything just came together and I can think, "I got this." This whole wife and mom thing? I can totally rock it. (This usually is shattered in the next 5 seconds by some minor catastrophe, but in the moment it is sweet.)

It's all those times that make me stop and think, "This is what it's all about." It's so easy to lose perspective when stuck behind the never-ending loads of laundry and dirty dishes in the sink. (My life goal is to be caught up on all the dishes for at least 15 minutes.) Moments like these help me regroup, and remind me that life really is good and sweet, even amidst the chaos. They're little gifts that I don't want to take for granted. They are there every day, all I have to do is know how to notice them.